🗞️SKINCARE NEWS

Can Your Skin Microbiome Make You Happy? A New Study Investigates🔬

A novel study has investigated the relationship between the human skin microbiome and psychological wellbeing. Here’s a quick summary:

• Fifty-three participants provided skin samples from their face, scalp, forearm, and underarms for microbiome analysis. Participants also completed psychological questionnaires measuring general wellbeing, sleep quality, and stress📋

• The study found that specific beneficial microbes on the skin, particularly Cutibacterium, are linked to psychological wellbeing😊

• Higher levels of Cutibacterium on the face and underarm were associated with lower stress levels⬇️

• Increased levels of Cutibacterium on the underarm were also associated with an improved mood📈

• Overall, an increase in Cutibacterium across multiple body sites consistently correlated with positive wellbeing outcomes🌟

• These findings support the emerging concept of the "skin-brain axis," which suggests a connection between skin health and psychological wellbeing🔗

Unilever Reportedly Pays $1.5 Billion for Dr. Squatch Men's Personal Care Brand🏷️

Unilever has reportedly acquired the men's personal care brand Dr. Squatch. Here’s a quick summary:

• Unilever is reportedly paying $1.5 billion to acquire Dr. Squatch from Summit Partners📈

• Founded by Jack Haldrup in 2013, Dr. Squatch first began selling handmade bar soaps for men📅

• The Los Angeles-based company has since expanded its product line to include deodorants, hair care, colognes, and lotions🧴

• Dr. Squatch has gained huge popularity among Gen Z men with its range of products and collaborations. Most recently, the brand went viral for collaborating with Sydney Sweeney to launch her ‘bathwater’ soap🚀

• Dr. Squatch distributes its products through its website and brick-and-mortar stores🧼

• This acquisition will complement Unilever’s existing men's personal care brands, such as Axe and Dove Men+Care, and will facilitate the international scaling and expansion of the Dr. Squatch brand🔥

📲SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS

TikTok Reported to Have a US Buyer as the Ongoing Saga of TikTok's Future in the US Continues📱

Despite a federal law effectively banning TikTok in the U.S. without a divestiture, a potential sale to a U.S. consortium is reportedly nearing finalization. Here’s a quick summary:

• A federal law technically banned TikTok in the U.S. on January 19, 2025, if its parent company, ByteDance, did not divest its U.S. operations🏢

• The ban has not been enforced due to repeated executive orders delaying the deadline for a sale, with the current deadline set for September 17🚫

• In a recent interview, the president has indicated that a deal to sell TikTok's U.S. operations is "all but finalized" with a group of "very wealthy people”🏦

• This potential consortium of buyers of the “TikTok America” entity reportedly includes Oracle, Blackrock, and the venture capital firm Andreesen Horowitz, among others, with ByteDance retaining a 19.9% stake in the app💸

• Any sale agreement would likely require approval from the Chinese government, which has historically opposed a forced sale🤝🏽

• The ongoing situation is heavily influenced by broader foreign policy developments and U.S.-China trade talks and the ultimate fate of TikTok in the U.S. continues to hinge on these complex negotiations📉

🔥TRENDING TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM SOUNDS

Here are some trending sounds on Instagram and TikTok that can be used with “text on screen” videos or as background music for educational content🔥

📈SKINCARE BESTSELLERS

^{*The bestseller lists are dynamic and can change in real-time. The bestseller lists are compiled on Monday mornings.}

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Thanks for reading the DermFriends Newsletter. Stay tuned for more updates, tips, and trends next week!